We Were All Strangers Once......

What is a stranger?

A stranger could be a person whom we have never met, a person we have briefly met, a person we do not have a personal intimate relationship with, someone we do not fully trust.

We were all strangers once. We began our journey together to break free not so long ago. 13 strangers. Some knew each other more intimately than others. Some knew nothing about any of the people we would begin sharing ourselves with. We were strangers entering into a study that would require us to trust. Trust each other, trust ourselves and ultimately trust that GOD had divinely placed us together for HIS purpose and glory.

Not only was I a stranger to the women in my study group but I began to unpack the idea that I may be a stranger to GOD or HE a stranger to me. I knew I loved the LORD but did I trust HIM fully?

As I began this journey of freedom with strangers I began to understand the magnitude of trust and LOVE. As each week passed and as I was trusting GOD to work in and through me to bring HIS message to strangers I began to unpack the untrust and fear of strangers that infiltrated the core of my being....

Because GOD is faithful and chastises us to grow and trust HIM I was blessed with the opportunity to house 10 strangers in my home. My initial reaction was no.....no I can not have 10 strangers in my home. You see these strangers were "strange". Their life was vastly different than ours and I was certain they would be scarred for life if they entered into our world even if it was for less than 15 hrs (most of them sleeping hours).

Applying my Breaking Free knowledge:) I knew that this fear stemmed from my past and my trust issues with my family and my trust issues with GOD. WHAT??? Trust issues with GOD? That is not how it is supposed to be...I am supposed to trust GOD fully with all areas of my life....

And so answering HIS whisper and invitation to obey HIM and let HIM show me his grace, mercy, and love I began praying and crying out to HIM. I was still afraid...afraid of failure (not providing for this family in a way that would be comfortable), afraid of rejection and judgement (that they would find our lifestyle despicable), and fear that we would not glorify HIM. I shared with GOD these fears and HE kept whispering...trust me, I am working.

And so with much prayer and supplication...I began calling around for air mattresses:)

GOD is good! I had plenty of air mattresses for all ten of them. All of my fears were given to HIM and I felt a peace that passeth all understanding when our strangers arrived. A perfect peace in my imperfect mind surrendered to HIM.

Through this relationship with GOD and my desire to know him and trust HIM, HE faithfully showed me how HE works through people and situations to teach us more about HIM. The conversations we had with this family (the strangers) were profound and moving. Their story was amazing and their mission in seeking and living the TRUTH resonated in our home in a way that would have an immeasurable impact (an answer to prayer).

By surrendering my fearful thoughts to HIM I was able to see how HE was using this situation for HIS glory.

We may never see these strangers again, however like you and I who were strangers once too divinely brought together to enter into a trusting relationship for HIS glory, these strangers were brought to us to show me how to trust fully.


The blog of our strangers....
http://been-couraged.blogspot.com/
**you might even see a picture of us on their blog**

Who Am I.....

This question has been one that has been every where I read, every conversation I hear and every whisper that HE whispers to me.

As we journeyed through week 6 and looked at how we are Beauty from Ashes I was also continuing in my reading of the book titled Brave Heart Unlocking the Courage to Love with Abandon.

I was awed in our study how Tamar was treated and began to feel shame at the hand of those who were closest to her. As this story unfolded and I began to see the weeping from shame that Tamar felt and how the MAN reached out to her I felt such a deep longing to know that man who was reaching out for her hand, a hand to offer her redemption from shame. I want to feel that redemption. I want to know that beauty. I want act like who I am....But do I know, TRULY know who I am?

As I continued reading Brave Hearts...I was encouraged to look deeply at who I am. Proverbs 2:2-6 says "So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; Yes if you cry out for discernment and lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD And find the knowledge of GOD. For the LORD gives wisdom; From HIS mouth come knowledge and understanding..."

When my world was turned upside down a few years ago it was that pivotal moment that GOD began speaking loud and clear to me about my past my present and my future. I knew a few things one being I am fearfully and wonderfully made in HIS image, two being I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and three....I knew HE loved me and I longed for more of HIM. It was a humbling and terrifying part of my journey I would begin to embark on but as I began to confess my story and trust HIM fully HE began to chastise (and it hurt) and mold me in HIS image. The more I trusted and obeyed HIM the more my heart began to be set Free. HE began to fill my longings and my dreams and HE began to bless me.

I journeyed home not to long ago and as you all know home is not the most comfortable place for me. It was certainly going to be a trip of uncertainty and I knew I would be treading in unpredictable waters. I also knew that I had taken of the old me and put on the knew. I was know clothed in his robe of righteousness and I was redeemed. HE was whispering softly to me "Michelle...I love you. ME the king of kings, your heavenly bride groom, I love you. Your mine. I will restore these relationships. Trust me. I can heal the wounds. And so I went home covered in prayer. It proved faithful as HE always does. I conquered one more piece to the puzzle of "Who am I?" I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine Song of Solomon 6:3 "Our Bridegroom sometimes leads us to difficult places, but we can trust Him always to have purpose in our stand and never to forsake us." Beth Moore-Breaking Free.

My journey of "Who am I" continues several weeks after my return home as I continue in Breaking Free and continue to attend Church....

As I attended the Beth Moore simulcast So long Insecurity I began again to see that Who I Am is important. Do I believe I am

Saved from myself- Does my mind focus on God or idols
Entitled to Truth- Do I rest in HIM or strive for perfection
Clothed with intention- Do my actions collide with emotion? How do I act?
Upended by Grace- His Grace sets us free!Grace turns everything upside down poor/rich
Rebounded by Love- 1 Cor. 13..Everything comes back to love the greatest of all things
Exceptional in Life- Have I put off my old self and put on the new?

On Sunday Sandy spoke about Faith and Repentance.........
2 Cor 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry , but that your sorrow let to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.
Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek the LORD while HE may be found, Call upon HIM while He may be found Call upon HIM while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD and he will have mercy on him. And to our God for He will abundantly pardon.

Week 7 in Breaking Free...
I am being challenged again to know Who I Am....
Do I act like a child of God?
Do I prefer TRUTH
Do I overcome oppressions
Do I overcome deceit
Do I seek real answers

Am I obedient to HIS call and HIS word? Obedience does not mean sinlessness but confession and repentance (oh....the big R word again:) Obedience is not arriving at a perpetual state of godliness but perpetually following hard after God. Beth Moore- Breaking Free.

For freedoms sake repent and obey so freedom can reign in us to do HIS good work and Glorify HIS name.

So as I read, chat and listen I must as Am I in the Spirit...Because where the Spirit of the LORD is there is FREEDOM and I want to be set free....

Do YOU?

Who Am I...I am HIS. Designed to do HIS good work.
Prayerfully seek HIM. Get in HIS Word!
You will find freedom and it is an amazing feeling (not always easy but alays amazing)!

In HIM Authentically

Broken Hearts

As I look forward to a return home I wallow in the awesomeness of the Sovereign God.
Home for me is not full of happiness it is full of hurt. It is a place full of guilt, bitterness, anger, idolatry, and betrayal. Although it represents bondage it is also a place of freedom.

My freedom in Christ began there many years ago when I asked Jesus into my heart. I remember that day vividly. Not many of my childhood memories are vivid but this memory is as clear as it would be if it occurred yesterday or yet...this morning.

This past week has been a week of reflection. Reflecting on a life lived. It has been amazing to see Gods hand and his divine purpose revealed to me. It is a big AMEN that I am Living Proof of HIS mercy. What is most exciting is to see how HE has mastered my life orchestrating HIS glory each day. I am overwhelmed with HIS love. As I read Psalms 55 I felt what David was feeling. Isn't it freeing to know we are redeemed in HIM. We can fall short and HE still loves us. HE will pick us up and brush us off if we ask HIM too.

As I journey home this next week it will be only through HIM that I will be able to respond differently to the pain that home represents. It is through HIM that I am strong enough. Phillipians 4:13 I can do everything through HIM who gives me strength.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone would boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand that we should walk in them.

You are HIS workmanship. HE loves you just as he loved Lazarus, that we can rise and have life. Are you ready to have abundant life in HIM?

Caution: Obstable Removal In Action

WOW!! What a powerful week, week 3 was. It was amazing to hear your journey stories and see each one of us being lifted up by each other IN HIM.

I pray that the SPIRIT continues to work in you as you journey forward in HIM.
"Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people" Isaiah 57:14.

Cry to HIM from your heart and with faith according to HIS WORD know that HE is capable of removing the obstacles in HIS time. Draw close to HIM and know HE has something amazing in store for you!

If your obstacle is unbelief admit that to HIM and allow him to help you overcome unbelief. When we seek HIM he will reveal his wonders to you!

If your obstacle is pride....YIKES pride. It comes in so many different forms. Some that seem borderline. It is the most hindering obstacle one can be bound by.

"I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." Isaiah 57:15

Caution: Do not mix up pride and confidence. Confidence is humble. Pride is arrogant.

Is all you do giving Glory to God or Glory to you?

You are HIS precious work (Eph 2:10) HE longs to work in and through you for HIS glory. We are not to sinful for GOD. We are worthy of a relationship no matter how tattered we are. HE Loves us and desires to have a heart relationship with us.

If your obstacle is idolatry GOD wants you to find satisfaction in HIM not in something or someone who will NEVER fulfil your longings.

"Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit him nothing?" Isaiah 44:10

When you feel dissatisfied to you seek GOD or to you fill yourself by shopping, eating, drinking, drugs, gossip, depression, self loathing?
GOD uses dissatisfaction to draw us near to HIM.

"The LORD is not slack concerning HIS promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

REMEMBER: Salvation does not guarantee satisfaction. You must seek HIM and the fullness of a daily relationship in order to experience abundant life in CHRIST.

If your obstacle is prayerlessness....
PRAY!! Talk to the LORD! Have coffee with HIM! Let the blessings flow from your prayers. Don't forget to pray for yourself that HE would speak to you and guide you and give you an unquenching thirst for HIM!

If your obstacle is legalism please ask yourself.... Is this a negative feeling or action or is it beautiful giving GOD glory?

We can give GOD glory if we dance, wear make up, have short hair, wear jeans, drink a beer or a glass of wine. If we are in HIS spirit and seeking HIM he will guide us as to what HE wants us to do for HIS glory.

"The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." Isaiah 29:13

As you move into week four we get to take the key (GOD) unlock the suitcase, (in my case it was a trunk) and begin to unpack some of the baggage we have been lugging around for many years. Imagine lugging around a big ol' trunk for many years. It sure has gotten heavy for me. So heavy that GOD finally had enough and I finally could no longer bear the burden. I cried out to HIM and viola....the key. It has been the most amazing beginning to unloading my unnecessary junk and I get so excited when HE reveals to me another piece to purge!!!!

Looking forward to "trashing" some unnecessary garbage. How about you????

That You May Know

When we know God we gain wisdom. Wisdom comes from HIS on person. Not Just HIS Word but knowing HIM intimately. Have you put your hand in HIS, recieved salvation and are off running living life or have you put your hand in HIS, left it there to feel and experience HIS warmth and comfort? Have you felt HIM embrace your hand, touch it, caress it? Do you trust HIM enough to stay and experience HIM? When you stay you begin to know who HE is. GOD does not change HE is the same always and by knowing him we can have HIM in us and HE can be seen through us.

Early on in the study Beth eluded to the idea that we tend to take on the behaviors of people we spend the most time with. Ask Mary what behavior of mine she has taken on. I too have taken on the behaviors of my good friend Amy and she has taken on some of mine. Fortunately for us they are behaviors that are not detrimental to our well being. I can take on these behaviors because I know Amy so well and I spend time getting to know her on a level below the surface of just a friendship. Imagine this is how GOD wants us to know HIM. In a way that we will take on HIS behaviors. People will see HIM in us. This behavior of Amy's and mine in Amy has not happened over night. It has been a 3.5 year journey and continues to grow. Sometimes we spend more time together sometimes life overtakes us and we are to busy to see each other. Because our relationship is one of truth and honest allowing us to help each other become the best version of ourselves, I sometimes long for her company when I have not seen her. You see Amy and I's relationship is a journey. A life that glorifies GOD is not something we attain at Salvation. It is a process that progresses as we spend time with HIM. A relationship that is valued and nurtured is one that will grow and become strong. If you leave a relationship on the back burner or allow the other person to do all the work it is not as fruitful.
How do you nurture and grow relationships? Are you hiding HIS word in your heart. Do you cry out to HIM? Do you rely on HIM when you are weary? Do you praise HIM when you are happy?

When Amy and I don't spend a lot of time together and I don't know what is going on with her I often begin to wonder and this sometimes directs me to misunderstanding. I may feel that she does not value the relationship we have or I may think she has become weary from my woes (cause she is the lucky girl who experiences them with me). It is when we are in sync that I feel most satisfied with our relationship. When we immerse ourselves in the journey toward knowing HIM we will find satisfaction. Salvation is amazing but can you imagine that peace that surpasses all understanding that knowing no matter what happens you are loved anyway. You always have a place to find rest and restoration.....In HIM. As my journey has grown this has began to make sense to me. I have always loved the LORD. But I know thirst for HIM I long to feel the Holy Spirit. I always think of climbing on top of that mountain and basking in HIM, eyes closed, arms lifted. What I love the most is the more I know HIM the less I want. I don't compare myself nearly as much (no perfectiton this side of heaven), I don't wonder why, I don't feel like a failure, I don't feel as frustrated. And the most breathtaking for me is the fact that this is a journey. It takes time. It is a process and I may become distant from HIM at some point and may begin to feel unsatisfied but I am redeemed and I am HIS! Hallalujah! In HIM I can experience abundant life and it can be fun! I remember as a teenager thinking...HMMMMM Christian life fun? Can't be. Although I did have a fun group of musicians from the church and once in a while you could find us on a Friday singing at the church. That was fun. I do aspire to sing on stage at church on day. I suppose they will have to give out earplugs with the bulletin that day:)

Words and phrases that keep resonating in me as I study....
Open the eyes of your heart.
Listen for HIS sweet whisper.
TRUST HIM. Proverbs 3:5-6 This is huge. Trust HIS word that says All things work together for the good of the LORD. HE is with us who can be against us?
Submit all areas to HIM and watch what HE will do.

You can not get true satifaction in HIM by sitting in church on Sunday, attending Life Group or Bible study. You must enter into an authentic relationship with HIM and thirst and hunger for HIM. He will give you wisdom Proverbs 2
but you must seek it. He does not chase you. He offers you HIMself Provervs 1:7. You can take up or not but the benefits are great. FREEDOM....can you imagine? I can't wait until we are finished this and I have seen HIS freedom.

What are you doing different to allow yourself to experience freedom?
Do you know HIM and believe HIM?
Do you glorify HIM?
Do you find satisfaction in HIM?
Do you experience HIS peace?
Do you enjoy HIS presence?

I pray that as you draw closer to HIM you will experience HIM fully. This is your journey, may you find freedom!

Be Free-Chisel Away

Ladies....
Please watch this! Let HIS spirit move in you and speak to your heart!
Remember..........HE LOVES YOU!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsfG6U2t57w

Cut and paste this site.

Thanks Jodi!

Manasseh

Manasseh was the grandson of Ahaz(the king who lacked faith in GOD and would not listen to Isaiah) and the son of Hezekiah. Manasseh is know in scripture to be the most wicked king. Interestingly enough however even though Manasseh did much evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke HIM to anger, GOD was merciful and offered Manasseh forgiveness (2 Chronicles 33:10-13)but he would not listen so the LORD sent the captains of the army and hooked him and bound him with bronze fetters and carried him off to Babylon. When he was in affliction he called to the LORD and humbled himself greatly and prayed to GOD. The LORD heard his prayers and took him back to Jerusalem to his kingdom and the he knew that the LORD was GOD.

An example that GOD will take the least likely!

Often times like Manasseh we must first hit rock bottom before we look up! Do you recognize your captivity in order to avoid being hooked by the enemy? Are you crying out to HIM to reveal the yokes that bond you? Do you repent for your sins?

In order to experience freedom we must repent.